Double-A San Antonio has its sights set on a first-half title.
Braden Nett tied a career-high with 10 strikeouts over 5⅔ shutout innings and Brandon Valenzuela’s walk-off single sent the Missions to a 1-0 win over Frisco and a half-game ahead of the RoughRiders in the Texas League South.
Four games remain in the first half.
Nett (3.58 ERA) scattered six hits and two walks in the start.
Spencer Jones (3.51 ERA) struck out two in a scoreless inning, Ryan Och (4.79 ERA) and Tyson Neighbors (1-0, 4.50 ERA) struck out three in a scoreless ninth for the win.
The walk-off single from Valenzuela (.821 OPS) was one of three Missions hits.
The others were doubles from right fielder Moises Gomez (.726 OPS) and second baseman Anthony Vilar (.627 OPS).
San Antonio is 37-28.
Wednesday’s scoreboard
TRIPLE-A EL PASO (37-34)
Reno 8, Chihuahuas 4: RHP Bryan Hoeing (5.87 ERA) walked a batter and allowed a hit in two scoreless innings in his latest rehab appearance. LHP Omar Cruz (0-4, 4.89 ERA) allowed six runs — five earned — on six hits and two walks in two innings in the start. 2B Clay Dungan (.780 OPS) hit his fifth homer and finished a single shy of the cycle. He drove in two runs. SS Mason McCoy (.910 OPS) went 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI. DH Jason Heyward (.317 OPS) went 0-for-5 with a strikeout to continue his rehab assignment.
LOW SINGLE-A LAKE ELSINORE (29-36)
Rancho Cucamonga 5, Storm 3: LHP Kash Mayfield (0-3, 3.49 ERA) struck out eight and allowed an unearned run in three innings in the loss. 3B Zach Evans (.748 OPS) went 1-for-3 with two RBIs. C Carlos Rodriguez (.606 OPS) and CF Ryan Wilson (.715 OPS) both had doubles.
Note: High Single-A Fort Wayne (30-34) was rained out.